Caples to Scott Creek

Caples to Scott Creek

This three day trip took me from the Greenstone Carpark to the Scott Creek Trailhead via Kay Creek and Death Valley. Day 1 began at the Greenstone carpark and ended near the old Upper Caples Hut. On day 2, I followed Kay Creek up past Kay Creek Hut, and into the head of Death Valley. Day 3 took me over into Scott Creek and down to the trailhead.

En route to the Greenstone carpark. Good thing I was driving a rental!

Somewhere along the Caples Track

Caples Track

Caples River above Mid Caples Hut. The mountain at center is Peak 1760, but I chose to name him Cornerstone Peak due to his prominent role in creating a beautiful scene from a number of vantages in this area.

Upper Caples Hut. I arrived here in the early afternoon with full intentions of grabbing a bunk. To my surprise, I found it locked and soon learned that it is now private. With plenty of daylight to spare, I found a decent tent site down near the river, dropped my gear, and took off on a little side trip to McKellar Saddle

Cornerstone Peak from near McKellar Saddle

The wetlands of McKellar Saddle

Mt Christina, or as I like to call her, The Evil Queen, from McKellar Saddle

The Kay Creek track is no longer maintained by DOC. Still, the route is fairly easy to follow and in many places, the track is still in surprisingly good shape.

An interesting area in the Kay Creek Valley

Kay Creek Hut. A great place to kick back for awhile and enjoy some lunch as the morning clouds dissipated.

Inside the Kay Creek Hut

Death Valley. This was my introduction to high country tussock travel in New Zealand. The footing proved deceptively troublesome and the going was slower than anticipated. But then, in places like these, it's probably best to take one's time and embrace the surroundings anyway.

Sometimes, it was best to hike right in the creek itself.

Nearing the head of Death Valley. The green slope on the right would take me a couple hundred meters up to my camp in the high basin.

Home at the head of Death Valley

Pt 1960 and the lake at the head of Death Valley

Peak 1960 rises up from the divide between Death Valley and the broad saddle separating Kay and Scott Creeks. Mt Earnslaw keeps a watchful eye on us from a distance.

A look back down Kay Creek to the Alisa Mountains from near Pt 1710

Looking down on the Kay Creek-Scott Creek Saddle from above Death Valley. The nearest lake actually drains back into Kay Creek while the others farther down on the saddle drain north into Scott Creek. Mt Earnslaw continues to show off above the clouded valley.

Mt Earnslaw and the impressive Earnslaw Glacier

Mt Earnslaw from the Kay Creek-Scott Creek divide

A look up the Dart Valley from the open hillside at the mouth of the Scott Creek Valley

Back at the road. Next step: try to catch an afternoon ride back to the Greenstone Carpark.